Large baby birth experiences required - EFW 9lb5oz at 36+1 growth scan, first time mum

[AngelMarieBrown]

Hi all,

I'm looking for birth stories from ladies who've delivered babies past 10lb, ideally closer to 11lb. Thank you to anyone who takes the time to read or post.

Baby has been measuring large for gestational age at last 2 growth scans- 5lb14oz at 32+6, large abdominal circumference at 20w anomaly. This is my first pregnancy, I am 25 with normal BMI. The u/s tech said the baby is in the best position for birth (LOA).

I was given a fasting glucose test at 33w+5 (but not the glucose tolerance test, with the sugar drink and retest after 1/2 hrs). This came back normal.

Since the last scan (and 9lb5oz current fetal weight estimation!) I have been given a blood glucose monitoring kit and told to take measurements and send them in after a week. If they are high, the recommendation is I am induced at 37 weeks!

If the readings are normal, they recommend induction at 38 weeks - they have booked this in. I still have the ability to say no, though the consultant did talk a lot about shoulder dystocia and that is affecting my confidence that my body was made to birth this baby. That is, if baby isn't unnaturally large due to GD.

Before the last scan, I had been planning a home birth and following a hypnobirthing course. I am concerned r.e. induction as this will mean I am in a consultant led unit, and will likely be less mobile etc which could all contribute to the risk of shoulder dystocia. Also, if I fail to progress - which seems more likely (hospital surroundings, constant fetal monitoring, drip in arm, global pandemic!!) they recommend a C-section. I want to avoid this due to possible problems in future pregnancies/deliveries.

What do you guys think? I am going to speak with my midwife as soon as possible, I will post her thoughts here too. Many thanks!

Weight estimates are really approximate - I was told that DS2 would be massive at about 26 weeks, (having already had 9lb 11oz first baby), he would be 10lb+ and that I needed growth scans. Because of a mix up with paperwork I didn't get that scan until over 38 weeks at which point they said he was absolutely average - and they estimated his birth weight as 7lb - this was clearly rubbish as it would have meant hardly any growth since the last scan. He was born about 10 days later at 9lb, so above average but not massive at all.

I would go with what the Drs recommend to be honest, if they think you may have GD. But be aware the scans can get it very wrong, and the opinion of the Drs can vary massively with who you get - I had a registrar tell me I would need a c-section and laugh as I didn't want one then the consultant at the next appointment say they wouldn't support a c-section, both based on the same information. So always get a second opinion if possible.

Baby measured big all along (had a scan at 9 weeks due to a bleed and even then they asked if I was sure about my dates). I had a c section at 39 weeks and baby was 11lb 5 which was a bit of a shocker.

Forgot to say, I had the glucose fasting test and it was negative

Ds2 was close to 11lbs. I think the main problem was that he was back to back which was not picked up on til right at the last minute. I had forceps to turn him , episiotomy, and another type of forceps to help him out.

I realise this all probably sounds awful, but really, it was fine. It needed doing and we were both fine.

I was a high risk pregnancy, and they wanted to induce me. I had my waters broken instead which did the job, but I was 40+ 9 by then!

Hi OP several big babies here 10lb, 10lb1oz, 10lb7oz and 11lb13oz. I always measured big with all of them and with my massive baby I had a scare at 34 weeks and needed a scan, they all thought it was hilarious that it was measuring 7lb10oz already. Nobody thought twice about saying I needed any intervention!!
I was negative for GD when they eventually tested me and unbelievably no tears or major problems with births. One small stuck shoulder incident with the 10.1 baby which the midwife didn't panic about at all and it resolved easily.
When all of them were born, any baby over 10lb was kept in hospital for 24hrs to monitor their sugar levels. One of them did get the jitters because they dropped a bit low so they gave them bottle feeds to top them up. Bigger babies can also be more susceptible to Jaundice.
I would say a large baby isn't necessarily a problem as it really depends on the mother's size and frame. Although now my 6'3"-6'7" sons call me 'tiny lady'

My first was 7lb 6oz then with my 2nd husband the next was 10lb6oz and I am tweeny tiny in height and hips.

It was absolutely fine.

My understanding is that babies position and birthing position come into play not just baby size.

My baby was long (very long) and lean and they were all panicking about her having GD having insisted that despite me looking like a whale I wasn't having a big baby

Negative fasting glucose test for me too, and have to have weekly scans from 30 weeks onwards.
The final scan suggested the baby would be c. 10lbs
He came out at 11 lbs 5 oz at 38 weeks (planned c-section) with absolutely massive shoulders

My first was 9lb 2, so my 2nd was predicted to be big, i had weight scan at 36 and they measured 8 lb 10 so were expecting 10 + pounds however DC was born at 40+5 at 8lb 6.

I was 25 with a normal BMI when I delivered a 10lb er. I agree that the weight estimates are very approximate, but maybe I wouldn't like to go overdue as I did. My only issue was a tear, but it was a very bad one.

Measuring big with number two but not scary big and gave birth fine with second degree tear. Lots of scary talk around number three and I went for a c section but in hindsight I wasn’t properly counselled. She was 9:10 which was smaller than predicted (at one week early). Shoulders didn’t seem massive compared to other two babies. Fourth baby now measuring off the scale at 29 weeks (really 28 weeks as I know when I ovulated). Consultant says either induction or section but not seeing him again until 36 weeks to make that decision. The talk from the midwives has already started with risks of big babies etc (like it did last time) and I’m feeling super nervous as ideally don’t want a c section. Interested to hear how others get on and OPs decision with everything. X

I measured 8lb 13 at 36 weeks, induced at 38, born at 7lb 3. Although she does have a massive head.
Birth wasn’t wonderful- ended up with drips in both arms, episiotomy and forceps. But it doesn’t matter now/ she arrived safe, we’re both fine.

I had a growth scan last Thursday and was told baby would be roughly 8lbs 8oz. She was born Monday morning weighing 6lbs 1oz

I had the GD tests after Dr was convinced my dates were wrong for 1st baby due to muliple scans from about 18 weeks+.Im small and my exP was very large/tall with large babies as a rule,so they kept an eye on me and was predicted over 4.5 kg it was policy to offer a c-section at the hospital overseas (which i jumped at!).when baby arrived at 4.9kg, looking even larger I was so glad id had the choice and thoroughly enjoyed my 1 week stay (it was a massive help as exP proved bloody useless!) they still whisked dc away to be checked for diabetes tho..but all was fine. Im glad I listened to the Drs advice.

I’ve had three 11-pounders all born around 39+3 and I’m 5’6 and 8.5 to 9 stone ish. Two were born in the bath at home, one had shoulder dystocia but I had a very experienced midwife and I somehow managed to get out of the bath with the head already born and follow her instructions all without panicking because I trusted she knew what she was doing (even though the other midwife was having a major panic).

The last one I was induced—OB-monitored throughout because I also had loads of extra fluid (looked ready to pop at 4 months), but I regret that as it was a much harder birth. Same length of Labour—all three hours— but my body just wasn’t ready for it and it caused me massive SPD issues for months. Wish I’d given it another 24 hours but I was kind of pressured into in by the OB because the following days already had several inductions or sections booked so he was keen for me to give birth before the size became a cause for concern. I also had pneumonia at the time so wasn’t thinking straight and didn’t even have chance to talk to the midwife as he broke my waters before she could arrive, still think it was on purpose although he said it was just an exam.

Despite being so massive at birth they all slowed down and are now fairly average size.

I was put under consultant care as baby was measuring big. No GD. Scans underestimated his size but he was born at 39 weeks so only a 9lber. It was recommended that I didn't use the standalone MLU but the hospital one was fine.

It's great that you are getting consultant led care. There's no way I'd have wanted to go overdue, I had already agreed a 40 week induction. I tore both times and second time I was not very well stitched which has led to some issues.

One friend had shoulder dystopia and baby experienced oxygen deprivation but is ok thanks to a new ultra cold therapy. It's really important to consider the risks, there are many good labour experiences to be had in hospital if a home birth is not possible.

I had a 10lb4 baby, induced at 10 days over. They said it was a good thing they hadn't let me go any longer as I'd wanted them to. His head was very big, and I'd run out of push by the end and asked if they couldn't just pull him out
No tears, baby 2.
No longer issues, just hard hard work.

His head appeared to grow like a pumpkin though, it was squashed through the birth canal, and then expanded in the weeks after birth.

No extra Scans back then, he's 20 now. They weren't expecting him to be so big.

First baby 9lb 6oz at 38 weeks. Came on his owm.

Second baby, they said would be 10lb by the time 40 weeks came around. They induced me at 39+5, he was born at 39+6 and was 10lb 12oz. I had a much better labour, birth and recovery with this one. I think being induced helped as I was being monitored and the nurses were there whenever I needed them, it made me calmer.

With my first baby, I was given growth scans and told she'd be 11lb ish. She was born one day early and she was 7lb 15oz. My last baby, I was told would be around 7lb 8oz. He was 10lb.

Weight estimates are often badly off. But my 7lb baby was no easier to deliver than the 10lb one. They all get out, one way or another xx

Haven't had a big baby, but o have had a hospital induction after hoping for a home birth. It was a lovely experience. I had essential oils and music with me, I was allowed to stand and move around for a lot of the time with a portable monitor and I progressed fine.

No need for lots of interventions or a long pushing stage! Please don't feel stressed about not getting your ideal birth. Use your hypnobirthing techniques to help you have a happy, calm birth no matter what happens.

Thank you everyone for your posts, it's all really helpful- though I'm still yet to make a definitive decision. I keep changing my mind... I'm seeing my midwife on Fri and am hopefully speaking with someone from the hospital on Thurs. I keep worrying about being without my partner until 4cm dilated, I need to find some inner strength. Will post what my midwife suggests as well as the final outcome

Mine is now 25 but was 12lb when born- 2nd child. Largest baby in the hospital for a year. I had a partial prolapse at the start of labour. About 12 years later had a double prolapse- operation but now back and need a hysterectomy plus loads of other bits doing. All linked to the birth.

If you have the option have a caesarean - I really wish that I had.

Hi OP. Normal BMI here. Negative for GD too. I had a big baby and offered an early induction or CS. I was allowed to go over as I wanted too see what happened. It all went tits up. Failure to progress, sepsis (me and DS), emergency CS and a 5 day stay in hospital afterwards.

If I were to do it again id jump to have a csection.

My niece had first DS at 40+6 and he weighed 10 4. She had a lot.of stitches. 2nd DS was showing as large on scans and she agreed to be induced at 38 +3 when baby was supposedly over 10 lb. She ended up having emergency section when baby got stuck and needed to be born quickly as in distress. He was 11 3 and afterwards she said she wished she had gone with planned section she was offered but refused. She said no more babies. Her DH is 6 foot 5 though and she is a smallish size 10. If doctors recommend a section it will be because safer for baby and more comfortable for you.

Sorry I’m not sure if this is helpful to post or not but with my third I went for the section for reasons posters have mentioned above. My planned section didn’t go to plan and I was in a lot of pain during and directly after, so I kicked myself for not trying an induction as she was that little bit smaller than predicted at 9:10. However she was healthy and perfect :) I’m struggling now with the same decision as it could be that I have another baby of a similar size and an early induction goes fine or it could be like some of the posters mentioned and I wish I would have gone for a section. Such a tough call to make. I have a good consultant this time and am going to ask lots of questions when I see him soon. Good luck with your decision it’s not an easy one xx

Ds2 was 10.7...noone warned me he was reading big-his brother was 8.5! When the midwife saw him a couple of days later she was all like 'I knew he would be big' . I thought then that a heads up would have been nice!
Anyway...i had mostly a water birth but had to get out for delivery, because they were concerned he was 'stuck'. Not a great thing to hear tbh. However, once i was out of the water it took only about half an hour to have him. It was fine in the end; didn't need any pain relief.
Having said all this I think in your position I would have a section. I consider myself pretty lucky to have had a good birth with experience midwives.
My friend was pregnant at the same time with GD, having had it with her first as well but undiagnosed. She failed to progress with her first (he was 11lb) and she is very petite. Ended up with an emergency section. With her second she had a planned section and said it was a great experience, compared with the first.